Which of the following States lies partly to the north of the Himalayas?

Answer: (c) Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir (including Ladakh at the time of the syllabus maps) lies partly north of the Himalaya.

The idea

“North of the Himalaya” needs a specific reference, usually the main Great Himalayan crest. Trans-Himalayan valleys lie beyond that crest, but political boundaries do not follow it exactly. Apply the administrative map of the exam year, rather than treating former State boundaries as unchanged.

Why the others are wrong

(a) Himachal’s Lahaul–Spiti is trans-Himalayan too, but the key picks J&K.

(b) Arunachal lies south of the main crest.

(d) Sikkim lies south of the main crest.

The trap

Spiti in Himachal is also trans-Himalayan — which makes (a) arguable.

Also know

Lahaul and Spiti are in Himachal Pradesh. Ladakh became a separate Union Territory in 2019. The Karakoram, Ladakh and Zanskar ranges are distinct from the main Himalayan crest. Zoji La links the Kashmir Valley towards Ladakh; Rohtang links Kullu with Lahaul.